Are you or someone you know an exceptional student with big dreams? The Bernsen Law Firm Excellence in Education Scholarship is back for another year!

Scholarship Details

• Award Amount: $10,000 scholarship

• Eligibility: Open only to graduating high school seniors attending a local high school who intend to pursue a law degree.

• How to Apply:
Complete the application form below and submit an essay of a minimum of 1,250 words (about 5 pages double space) explaining why you want to pursue a law degree and what you hope to accomplish through your legal education and career.

The essay must be:

• Double-spaced
• Written in 12-point Times New Roman
• Formatted with 1-inch margins
• Minimum of 1,250 words
• Submitted to Google Drive or emailed to [email protected] with the subject “2026 Scholarship Essay”

• Application Deadline: December 1

• Winner Announced: December 15

The Story Behind the Scholarship

The Bernsen Law Firm Excellence in Education Scholarship was created after attorney David Bernsen saw the remarkable achievements of Ryleigh Clarke, the daughter of one of the firm’s employees.

Ryleigh stood out as a student who not only excelled academically but also worked tirelessly to pursue her passion for healthcare. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Orangefield ISD, earned CNA certification, and completed both phlebotomy and EMT training during her first year of college at Lamar State College Orange.

Her determination and commitment to serving others inspired David to recognize her efforts with a $10,000 scholarship. Seeing the impact of that support, he established the scholarship as an annual opportunity for other students with big goals, no matter their field of study.

Today, the scholarship reflects a simple but powerful belief: when you invest in students, you invest in the future of Southeast Texas.

Past Recipients:

2025 – Eva Oseguera

2024 – Ryleigh Clarke